Friday, July 15, 2011

Backing the Weak Horse in Libya

What the heck is NATO doing?:

(Reuters) - Western and Arab powers in the Libya contact group are to recognize the rebel leadership as representing the Libyan people, Italy said on Friday, giving a boost to the rebels as their military campaign falters.

The decision at a meeting in Istanbul of more than 30 countries and international bodies meant Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had no option but to stand down, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said.

The U.N. Secretary-General's special envoy to Libya, Abdul Elah Al-Khatib, will be authorized to present terms for Gaddafi to leave power, but the British foreign minister said military action against Gaddafi would be stepped up at the same time.

The political package to be offered Gaddafi will include a ceasefire to halt fighting in the five-month-old war...

A question for Western and Arab powers: Why would he cease firing when he appears to be winning?